When you’re off on a camping trip, fishing, or spending time at the beach, there’s nothing better than enjoying your favorite beverage, ice cold. Maintaining ice in a cooler can be a challenge, and if you have an RV, you’ll find your RV refrigerator can’t cope with the demand.
It is possible to find a store, yet this can ruin your day. One of the best inventions is a portable ice maker, as these can chug away making ice while your cool box takes care of your drinks.
In our guide and review, you can find a range of 12-volt ice maker for camping. With details of a recommendation and other ice makers, you’ll find one that can meet your needs and budget.
By the end, you’ll be able to choose the number one car ice maker or compact 12-volt ice maker for a boat that can keep your drinks and fish on ice all day. (Read Dometic RV Refrigerator Reset)
Why You Need a Good 12 Volt Ice Maker
When camping, fishing, or at the beach, portable ice makers are helpful as they can make ice in minutes rather than hours.
You can fill a cooler with enough ice to fill a cooler each day, which totals around 30lbs. Such devices save time and money and are lightweight and convenient for use on a campsite, in a boat, or roasting on the beach.
Even though there is a low cost of ice bags, using a portable ice maker results in lower overall costs than having to continually buy bags of ice, which always end up with unnecessary interruptions to your day.
Ice Makers Are Efficient
Ice makers are effective and enjoyable for all family vacations. They can keep kids happy and cool with their favorite drinks while making it easy for all the family.
Top 12 Volt Ice Maker Reviews
1. Igloo ICEB26HNSS Automatic Self-Cleaning Portable Electric Countertop Ice Maker Machine With Handle, 26 Pounds in 24 Hours, 9 Ice Cubes Ready in 7 minutes, With Ice Scoop and Basket, Stainless
The handle and light weight of this Igloo ice maker makes it the best portable ice maker for transportation. In addition, it comprises a special self-cleaning system that comes with five automatic cycles.
It features a drain plug you can remove to drain water when cleaning the device.
Compared to the original Igloo ice maker, this unit costs slightly less and comes with a two-quart water tank.
The body offers long-term durability and is made from stainless steel with an included ice scoop for better and cleaner ice handling.
The lightweight ice maker features LED lighting and an electronic control panel so that you can choose the size of the ice cubes, and it informs you when you need to add more water or when your ice bucket is full.
The ice maker is convenient and compact.
With a 2-quart water tank, you can produce 26 pounds of ice in 24 hours to keep drinks cold all day.
- It comes with a built-in carrying handle to make it convenient.
- Automatic 5-cycle cleaning function
- Store 1. 25 pounds of ice in one batch inside the ice basket
- Fast action – The machine makes 9 small or large cylinder ice cubes in 7 minutes
- Easy to read control panel
- Large clear lid
- Removable ice basket
With a guide price of a little over $200, you have a 12v ice maker suitable for any location. It is half the price of The Bad Boy ice maker from Brass Monkey yet has similar performance and features.
You’ll have one of the best portable ice makers if you need a 12v ice maker for the summer and beyond. (Learn How Long Before Car Battery Dies With Radio On)
2. Igloo Automatic Portable Electric Countertop Ice Maker Machine, 26 Pounds in 24 Hours, 9 Ice Cubes Ready in 7 minutes, With Ice Scoop and Basket, Perfect for Water Bottles, Mixed Drinks, Parties
Igloo, one of the top-rated portable ice makers right now, has received many rave reviews.
Despite the small size, the machine makes nine ice cubes of two different sizes in around seven minutes, up to 26 pounds in 24 hours.
It’s easy to use this ice machine. Flick the switch after adding 3 quarts of water, and it will begin churning out ice.
The control panel signals when the water tank needs to be refilled. The machine even includes an ice scoop to make it easy to remove the ice from its bin.
The 120v ice maker weighs about 21 pounds and has a lovely design in various colors.
- The Igloo countertop ice maker is convenient, compact, and fits into any countertop.
- The portable ice maker requires no installation, so you can use it to make ice in any location.
- You have a large window to see the ice basket filling
- It comes with a 3-quart water tank, so the ice maker can produce 26 pounds of ice cubes over 24 hours.
- The ice maker makes 9 small or large cylinder ice cubes in less than 7 minutes.
- Comes with an ice basket (2lb capacity).
- This ice maker machine uses a simple electronic control panel to select the ice cube size and show when to add water or when the ice basket is full.
- The ice maker is easy to clean with a removable drain plug for draining water.
With a guide price of just under $190, you have a high-performing 12v ice maker, yet it lacks compared to its larger brother.
As it comes without a handle, it leaves itself short compared to other portable ice makers. However, it is suitable to put in an RV for campers and leave it in one location to enjoy drinks with friends and family or enjoy regular RV living.
3. Luma Comfort Clear Ice Cube Maker Machine | First Cubes In 15 Minutes, 28 lbs. of Ice in 24 Hours | Countertop Portable Design in Stainless Steel – IM200SS
Unlike its rivals, the Luma Comfort portable ice maker produces square ice cubes. Square cubes don’t melt as quickly as pellets or ice with a more rounded shape.
The finest portable ice maker to take when you camp could be this one. However, as mentioned previously, the lack of a handle makes it heavy to haul around a campsite and lacks the 12v battery option.
However, it makes longer-lasting ice and can pump out up to 28 pounds of ice daily in batches of 24 cubes.
Because it produces high-quality, transparent ice cubes, it is a bit more expensive and has a bulkier construction than most portable ice makers, weighing 25 pounds.
- Clear, restaurant-quality ice
- Ice melts 5 x slower than cloudy ice
- The compressor produces 28 pounds of ice a day
- The ice dispenser requires no installation. Mains connections mean you get ice inside 15 minutes.
- Side-mounted drain for ease of cleaning
- LED lights for water tank and full ice
With a guide price of a little under $230, this is more money than other portable ice maker options. However, it produces a more significant amount over the day.
It isn’t the lightest and can use slightly more energy than a more portable option. However, this could be the right choice if you want ice to stock up.
4. Newair Counter Top Ice Maker Machine (Black), Compact Automatic Ice Maker, Cubes Ready in 6 Minutes, 28 Pounds In 24 Hours
One of the fastest portable ice makers available, it can produce up to 28 pounds of ice daily and produce an entire batch in just six minutes.
It comes in three sizes appropriate for various tasks, such as making slushies or keeping drinks cool. Now, you don’t need to worry about ice cube trays that need filling and emptying.
However, it weighs roughly 30 pounds, making it one of the heaviest ice makers, so if you are off camping, you’ll need to be an RV camper to ensure you have a location for this quality ice maker.
This ice maker is recommended for tabletop use or situations when the device doesn’t need moving.
The compact design makes this one of the smallest yet most powerful ice makers you can use in the summer.
- The Ice Maker makes 28 pounds of ice each to keep you stocked, like buying 3 x 10lb bags of store-bought ice.
- The NewAir Ice Maker makes a batch of ice every 10 minutes.
- Choose from small, medium, or large ice at the touch of a button.
- Small suits drinks, while large tops up your cooler when out fishing.
- Indicator lights show you ice is ready when to add water.
- Comes with insulated storage inside the ice maker.
- Melted water recirculates to make more ice
With a guide price of just under $160, you have an effective ice maker like the Brass Monkey machine, yet far more affordable.
The devil is in the details, and there are many here, yet it lacks from being a portable 12v ice maker you can carry.
For trailer use and RV camping, it is ideal. (Read Is It Legal To Live In An RV In California)
5. Frigidaire EFIC102-WHITE Portable Compact Maker, Counter Top Ice Making Machine, White, 26lb per Day
The Frigidaire 26 lb. can make ice cubes for events or hot summer days in a matter of minutes.
Red standalone ice maker. Its compact and modern design makes it easy and beautiful to display. In addition, this ice maker conveniently frees up freezer space for other foods with a 1.8 lb. ice cube basket capacity.
It has a water reservoir with a 2.3 Qt. Capacity that can make up to 26 lbs. of ice in a day without draining the melted ice because it drains back into the reservoir.
This countertop machine has an adjustable cube size, a compressor cooling system, and low noise operation besides its distinctive functionality.
- Ice maker produces up to 26 lbs. of ice in 24 hours
- The water reservoir size is 2.3 quarts.
- Portable and Compact, the compact design makes it possible to work in any location you have mains electricity or a generator. You can be on a boat, in your RV, or home in the kitchen.
- Frigidaire countertop ice maker features compressor cooling
- Ice maker features an adjustable cube size
You get a decent machine for your money with a guide price of just under $120.
It makes a decent amount of ice and adds many details compared to other portable ice makers are much more money,
Like others here, it is better suited to car camping or packing in your RV rather than being able to power it by battery. However, depending on your needs, this could be a highly affordable option.
Best 12 Volt Ice Maker Buying guide
There are many factors to consider when selecting the best portable ice maker for sailing or camping, so you could find it challenging to make time.
However, the following key points should get you started in the correct direction:
Producing ice quickly:
This is an important consideration when campers pick a portable ice maker, particularly when camping with lots of friends or family.
Most ice makers create 20 to 30 pounds of ice daily; however, some can create up to 40 pounds.
Make sure the one you choose meets the requirements of your team.
Weight and size:
When purchasing an ice maker, it’s essential to remember that you’ll be traveling around with it, so choose the correct size that doesn’t take up much space and is portable.
Campers may not be in one location, so you must consider carrying to the campsite.
Storage capacity:
A bin on most ice makers holds roughly 2 pounds of ice. Although portable ice makers may generate a lot of ice, they are not equipped with a refrigeration system; thus, storing the ice in the bin for a long time is impossible.
It’s crucial to keep this in mind while going camping because you might need a cooler or portable freezer to store your ice.
Power source:
Most ice makers don’t consume much energy, especially when just used while camping.
You should therefore think about the location and whether you’ll have electricity to use the ice maker depending on its main use.
For locations where there aren’t many electrical outlets, some 12v ice makers employ a battery pack.
Cleaning:
Some ice makers may be cleaned manually, while others need to be self-cleaned. To clean your portable ice maker, follow these instructions:
Final Verdict
When testing the ice makers here, it could be easy to say nothing compares to the Brass Monkey, yet when you want a 12v ice maker, you want something you are not afraid to use.
Here, it was clear the Igloo ICEB26HNSS Automatic Self-Cleaning Portable Electric Countertop Ice Maker Machine With Handle, 26 Pounds in 24 Hours, 9 Ice Cubes Ready in 7 minutes, With Ice Scoop and Basket, Stainless would be the outright winner.
It comes from one of the best names on the market. It is a top performer, durable and affordable. (Read Simple Guide to Recertifying Propane Tanks)
At the time of writing, it leads the bunch if nothing more than it comes with a built-in handle and weighs less.
It is a fine example and will meet most campers’ needs when you need to freeze ice as the temperature soars in the summer. If you need a 12-volt ice maker for boat, camping or just using in the car, this is the ice maker for you.
